The 18 Pokémon Types

Pokémon Elements

A long-time fan, I've been playing the Pokemon games since they were released. Originally, we began with 15 elements. Soon after, Dark and Steel types were added, and many years later, the Fairy element emerged.

Each Pokémon can have either one or two attributes depending on their biology, and their combination determines their vulnerabilities to certain attacks. Fire beats Grass, Grass trumps Water, Water douses Fire, etc.

However, some Pokémon receive baffling elements that contradict their nature. Don't believe me? Let's countdown the top ten mis-typed Pokemon!

Solrock | Source

10. Solrock

Our first creature, from Generation 3 and the Hoenn region, is Solrock, a dual Rock and Psychic type.

Solrock obviously possesses the Rock attribute, but there seems to be a superior choice for its second type instead of Psychic: Fire. The Pokedex entries state Solrock "releases intense light and heat" and "absorbs solar energy". It also learns the Fire move, Fire Spin.

Perhaps it's given Psychic to explain its levitation, or to match its otherworldly space origins, but due to Solrock's solar nature, why not Fire?

Samurott

9. Samurott

Next, Samurott, the final form of Oshawott. Samurott and its past evolutions are all of the Water element, certainly fitting its otter-like form. However, it seems the Steel type, commonly associated with blades and tough bodies, also fits Samurott.

Samurott's physical attack and defense scores are its highest, like most Steel Pokémon. Plus, its Pokedex entries mention almost nothing about aquatic attributes; instead focusing on its armor and "seamitars" (swords it can draw and sheathe on its legs). Almost every Pokémon associated with swords or cutting is a Steel type, but not Samurott.

One explanation is that Generation 4's Water type starter, Piplup, eventually evolves into the Water and Steel Empoleon, and Pokemon's developers didn't want to use the same typing twice in a row.

Then again, that didn't stop them with Generation 3, 4, and 5's Fire-Fighting starters; having two Water-Steels in a row doesn't seem bad compartively. Regardless of the motive, Samurott certainly deserves a Steel element.

Blissey (right) with prior evolutions Happiny and Chansey | Source

8. Blissey

Blissey's family tree are all pure Normal types, and up until Generation 6, I completely agree with this element. However, once Fairy was introduced, why not convert the Blissey chain to Fairy? This was done with other original Pokémon Clefairy and Clefable, so it's certainly not taboo.

Also, fellow classic monsters Jiggypuff and Wigglytuff kept their Normal category, but gained Fairy as a secondary type. Why not replace or add this type to Blissey? Its Pokedex entries even call Blissey "very compassionate", "unfailingly caring", and "pleasant to everyone", all characteristics of Fairy-types.

Inkay | Source

7. Inkay

Looking at this floating squid, can you guess it's two types? Well, it could be Water, seeing as it's a squid, or perhaps Flying, since it's floating. Heck, maybe even Poison or Fairy; it could wield poisonous stingers, and it looks fairly innocent like Fairy types tend to.

But nope, Inkay's a dual Psychic and Dark type. Um.. why? Reading some data about it from the Pokedex reveals that it uses flashing lights to dazzle enemies. However, it doesn't seem to have any telekinetic abilities (although it somehow floats), and it's not brutal like most Dark types; Inkay prefers to flee from foes.

Its evolution, Malamar, makes more sense as a Dark/Psychic duo, appearing as a hypnotic and vicious squid, but Inkay's types just seem random.

Druddigon | Source

6. Druddigon

Dragon-type certainly suits this fearsome Pokémon, but it seems strange that it doesn't have Rock or Ground as a second element. Check out one if its Pokedex listings: "It races through narrow caves, using its sharp claws to catch prey. The skin on its face is harder than a rock."

Druddigon lives in caves and has a head stronger than rock, why not give it a Rock or Ground type? It's also worth noting that very few Dragon Pokémon with wings are only of one category, often gaining Flying as a secondary.

Ah well, I'm sure when they make a Dragon and Ground type, they'll give it to a fitting monster..

Flygon | Source

5. Flygon

Say hello to Flygon, the Dragon and Ground type from Hoenn. Flygon's here because both of its types seem a bit odd. It flies around, yet isn't Flying, but Ground. Huh, weird, though it does live in the desert, so maybe that one's not too bad.

But a dragon? Bug seems far more fitting for this Pokémon. Flygon and its prior evolution, Vibrava, resemble dragonflies, creatures that have the word dragon in their names but are insects. Thus, wouldn't it make more sense for Flygon to be Bug? Still, Flygon was one of the first double-element Dragon types that wasn't Dragon-Flying, so I've gotta give it some credit for at least deviating from the set precedents.

Charizard

Mega Charizard X

4. Charizard

Nostalgic fans may have seen this one coming. The original Fire-type starter, Charmander, eventually becomes a powerful dragon-like Charizard. However, for some reason, Charizard gains Flying as a secondary type instead of Dragon. I mean, yea, it has wings, but the dragon resemblance is just too much to pass up.

As is, we couldn't get enough of Charizard as kids; imagine how awesome it would have been as an actual Dragon Pokémon. This definitely seems like a missed opportunity, but Charizard isn't further down our list because one of its two Mega Evolutions, Mega Charizard X, eventually rectified the issue, discarding Flying for Dragon.

Nosepass

3. Nosepass

Coming into third place is the walking snoz, Nosepass, from the Hoenn region. Nosepass is classified as a Rock type. Fair enough; however, Nosepass ought to have Steel as well, considering its magnetic nose. The Pokedex states "Its nose is a magnet. As a result, this Pokémon always keeps its face pointing north."

Wow, this Pokémon can't even turn itself its own body due to magnetic force. And you know what magnets work on? Metal. As in Steel. Another baffling lack of a Steel type; however, in generation 4, Nosepass was given an evolution, Probopass, that finally gains its due Steel category.

And hey, unlike our last three entries, this was something that's not dragon related; I'm sure we're done with those issues for this countdown..

Gyarados

2. Gyarados

The intimidating Gyarados from Generation 1's Kanto region takes second place. Gyarados, a fierce battler of the sea, lives as a Water and Flying type. Flying, really? Why not Dragon; we've got ourselves a fierce aquatic Pokémon here. Gyarados resembles a Chinese dragon (no legs), and its Pokedex data states it can destroy cities and rampage for a full month.

Heck, Flying doesn't even make sense; Gyarados can't fly! The only reason why Charizard and Gyarados aren't dragons is that Generation 1's creators wanted to reserve the Dragon type to the all-powerful Dragonite family. And Gyarados's Mega Evolution hardly helps, as it gains Dark (more fitting than Flying, granted), still lacking the Dragon attribute.

Unfortunate, but at least Gyarados has its correct Water element, unlike some Pokemon..

Lugia

1. Lugia

Generation 2, you almost redeemed yourself from Blissey, but you didn't quite make it. Lugia, the legendary guardian of the sea, harbinger of storms, underwater dweller.. is a Flying and Psychic Pokémon. Flying makes sense, but Psychic? Why? The movie Pokémon 2000 depicts Lugia as having the ability to communicate via psychic abilities, but not a single Pokedex entry mentions anything of the sort (they focus on its aquatic territory and uncontrollable power).

At the time of Lugia's creation, we already had Mewtwo, Mew, and Celebi as legendary Psychic Pokémon, but only Suicune was available as a legendary Water type; an opportunity was wasted here to diversify the legendaries.. Lugia also learns two Water-element moves, one of which (Hydro Pump) was the strongest Water attack of its time. Plus, Lugia's counterpart, Ho-Oh, is categorized as a Fire and Flying Pokémon; Fire and Water seem far more opposed than Fire and Psychic.

For these reasons, Lugia's type is the most baffling combination yet. Lugia may have an odd element, but it's still one of my favorite Pokemon, crazy typing and all.